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LOT 1649
Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Interlaced Beast Mount
11TH CENTURY A.D.
7/8 in. (2.92 grams, 22 mm).
With openwork Urnes Style design of coiled serpent with head at the lower edge, two upper coils forming the attachment loops.
ProvenanceFound Doncaster, UK.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Hammond, Brett, British Artefacts Volume 3 - Late Saxon, Late Viking & Norman, 2013, p.27 for explanation of the style; and p.53, Fig.1.6-n, for an example of another Urnes style mount.
FootnotesThe style of the piece is very reminiscent of a bronze Urnes Style brooch in the Nationalmuseet, Copenhagen published in Wilson, D.M. and Klindt-Jensen, O. Viking Art, London, 1968, pl.LXXIII (f). The swept curves of the tendrils which enmesh the serpent's body are a noted feature of the style, which is found also in the great Norwegian stave churches and elsewhere.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1649
Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Interlaced Beast Mount
Sold for (Inc. bp): £416
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Viking Silver-Gilt Bird Pendant with Bearded Mask
9th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,380
Comprising a stylised bird in plan with high-relief detailing, pellet eyes, knotwork to the shoulders and gilt bands below, bearded mask to the lower back and knotwork disc above, niello detailing, hollow to the underside, two wire loops to the lateral flanges. 32.3 grams, 70 mm
Acquired from Marcus Hollersberger, Solophurn, Switzerland, in 1980. From the collection of a London antiquarian, formed since the 1980s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12736-234209. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Scandinavian Pre-Viking Bronze Mount on Leather Strap Section
6th-7th century A.D.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £300
Modelled in the half-round, profile figure with drinking horn, attached to a fragment of leather strap. 2.84 grams, 34 mm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Viking Age Gold Elfshot Pendant
9th-11th century A.D. or earlierSold for (Inc. bp): £260
Comprising a D-shaped gold cap with integral loop above, inset glass bead. 1.30 grams, 19 mm
Ex property of a late Japanese collector, 1970-2000s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
This amulet was believed to offer protection against 'Elfshot'. The attack of elves was believed responsible for mysterious suffering in men and livestock: sudden shooting pains localised to a particular area of the body, such as in rheumatism, arthritis or muscle stitches or cramps. Elves were thought to shoot darts or arrows where such pains had no obvious external cause. Belief in elfshot persisted into the 20th century in rural areas, and as proof country folk would sometimes find small arrowheads (the remains of Neolithic or Mesolithic flints, or naturally-occurring spear-shaped stones) that were believed to be the magical weapons that caused the afflictions. Belief in elfshot began in the Pagan Germanic period.